The 25 Most Heart-Wrenching Moments in NFL History

In the midst of this gloomy black cloud hovering over the National Football League, everybody is trying to figure out just what course of action is going to be taken next. How will the NFL players and owners come to an agreement? Will the fans be able to watch football in 2011, or will our hearts be broken?

As avid football fans and sports fans in general, we’re all used to having our hopes and dreams shattered, and our hearts ripped out from our bodies and ripped to shreds before our very eyes. We may not like it, but it’s why we love to watch sports. There is no excitement or thrill like it.

From botched snaps to Hail Mary catches, to fumbles, to divine miracles, here is a look at the top 25 most heart-wrenching moments in NFL history.

25. Beast Mode, 2011

It’s difficult to find a better run in the postseason.

The Seattle Seahawks traded for Marshawn Lynch prior to the 2010 trade deadline because they knew they needed a tough-nosed power runner if they wanted to win.

They were proven right against the defending Super Bowl-champion New Orleans Saints.

Marshawn Lynch devastated Saints fans as he proceeded to go “beast mode” on the New Orleans wannabe tacklers.

Lynch was a man possessed, refusing to go down at any point in this run of other-worldly proportions.

In fact, his stiff arm during the run was not only one of the most vicious “get-off-me’s” I’ve ever seen, but he may have legitimately ripped out the poor man’s heart before throwing him to the ground.

Marshawn Lynch, you are the man.

24. Super Touchdown, 2009

Those red things you see bouncing off James Harrison weren’t just Arizona Cardinals players, but also the hearts of Arizona Cardinals fans.

Arguably the biggest play in the Super Bowl, Harrison closed the doors on the Cardinals' hopes of taking the lead before halftime.

The interception is gut-wrenching. The aftermath that takes place is heart-breaking. He proceeds to pummel, juke and out-run Cardinals on the way to the end zone, increasing Pittsburgh’s lead in Arizona’s biggest game.

23. The Divine Drop, 2010

The Buffalo Bills really surprised me—in a good way—in 2010. I thought they played great once Ryan Fitzpatrick took the keys behind center. Their most impressive player, of course, was wide receiver Steve Johnson.

The Bills were a tough out for most teams, including the eventual AFC-champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Things could have been very different for the remainder of the Steelers’ season had Johnson held on to the potential game-winning touchdown.

Instead, Johnson dropped it and proceeded to blame God following the loss.

Why this happened to Johnson and the Bills we’ll never know, until we can ask the Big Boss himself.

Until then, on behalf of the Steelers, “thanks though.”

22. Non-Touchdown, 2010

Talk about breaking hearts?

It took the Lions 26 games to snap their road losing streak. It could have been snapped opening week.

The Lions have been one of the worst teams in the NFL this decade and they would have started the 2010 season with a huge victory.

This non-touchdown call changed the Bears’ season as they went on to win the NFC North, but they would have been staring up in the division had this touchdown gone through.

I can still feel my stomach churning every time I watch the call.

My whole demeanor changing from happiness to sadness for Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions.

Oh, what could have been…

The Lions fought hard all season and are on their way to turning the franchise around. Still, this was a gut-wrenching heartbreaker of devastating proportions.

21. Onside Recovery, 2010

I think it was safe to say that everybody’s hearts seemed to stop for a second during this play.

Everyone went nuts when it occurred as they wanted their team—either the Indianapolis Colts or New Orleans Saints—to recover Sean Payton’s mad-genius play call.

This was one of the gutsiest calls in NFL history, and it worked out well for the Saints, who went on to win the Super Bowl. Once the scrum hit, you knew one fanbase was going to walk away devastated.

The onside kick swung the momentum of the game into New Orleans' favor, and the pendulum just so happened to knock out Indianapolis fans’ hearts.

20. The Botched Hold, 2006

Perhaps this was the defining moment in Tony Romo’s career.

The Dallas Cowboys were ready to move on to the next round of the 2006 playoffs. They were down just one point with less than 90 seconds remaining and gearing up to take a two-point lead with a field goal.

For some odd reason, though, Romo was going to hold the snap.

What could go wrong? He does this all the time, right?

You would think.

Instead, he bobbled the snap and tried to make a breakaway for the end zone. He was oh-so-close but then he was stopped in his tracks, getting wrapped up just a few short yards away from the go-ahead touchdown.

As the Seahawks rejoiced, the Cowboys were sick to their stomachs.

19. 4th-and-26, 2004

I remember thinking there was no chance that Eagles could possibly convert on 4th-and-26.

Well, this sure showed me!

Somehow, someway, Freddie Mitchell (Freddie Mitchell!?) came up with the huge conversion to give the Eagles a first down and the opportunity to win the game.

I remember screaming for the Packers to somehow jar the ball loose from Freddie Mitchell (Freddie Mitchell!?) or at least stop him short of the red marker staring viewers in the face.

I desperately tried to find an angle he could be called short, but to no avail. Freddie Mitchell (Freddie Mitchell!?) managed to hang on to the ball.

After a divine play like that, of course, the Eagles went on to win the contest, crushing the hopes and dreams of Brett Favre and Packers fans across the nation.

18. “We Want the Ball and We’re Gonna Score,” 2003

I can watch this every day and still smile.

That’s what you get for talking, Matt Hasselbeck.

It wasn’t even confidence—it was cockiness.

As the Packers and Seahawks went to overtime in Lambeau Field, Hasselbeck called heads for the overtime coin flip.

He got it and, as expected, said: "We want the ball...”

What we didn’t expect to hear: “…and we’re gonna score.”

Oh yeah, Matty boy?

Less than five minutes into overtime, Hasselbeck threw a short pass towards the sidelines. The route was jumped by cornerback Al Harris, who sprinted into the end zone for the overtime victory, the first time a playoff game was won in overtime on a defensive touchdown.

In this case, Hasselbeck set himself and the Seahawks up for heartbreak.

17. Adam Vinatieri, 2002 and 2004

Easily the most clutch kicker of all-time, there is just no telling how many hearts Adam Vinatieri has broken with his game-winning field goals.

The three that stand out, of course, are against Oakland in the “Snow Bowl,” Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XXXVIII.

He may as well just be kicking our hearts through the uprights during practice.

16. Miracle at the Meadowlands, 1978

As we learn time and time again, the game isn’t over until the clock hits zero. At all points in a ball game, you must protect the ball.

The New York Giants failed to do so against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1978.

Ever get mad when the opponent simply kneels down to run time off the clock? Well, ask the 1978 New York Giants, and you’ll understand why teams insist on doing so.

The Eagles had zero timeouts and the Giants were literally one kneel-down away from winning the game.

Instead of taking the knee, Giants quarterback Joe Pisarcik tried to hand the ball to fullback Larry Csonka. Keyword there, folks: tried.

The hand off was bobbled and Eagles cornerback Herm Edwards, who always plays to win the game and not just play it, ran in and scooped up the fumble to take it back for the game-winning touchdown.

15. New Miracle at the New Meadowlands, 2010

One of the worst days ever to be a Giants fan.

As if the originator wasn’t enough at the old house, the New Meadowlands was quickly "blessed" with a new miracle by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The New York Giants blew a 31-10 lead, as the Eagles came back to tie the game at 31.

The Giants still had a chance, but when they failed to convert for a first down, they were forced to bring out rookie punter Matt Dodge to punt the ball away with a few seconds remaining.

His one mission: Do not punt to dynamic return man DeSean Jackson.

What happened?

You guessed it, of course.

Dodge punted it to Jackson, who bobbled the ball, regained possession and proceeded to sprint up the field, untouched, for the game-winning touchdown. It was the first ever walk-off punt return for a touchdown.

The loss sent the Giants on a downward spiral that cost them the NFC East and a playoff spot.

I can still feel my heart being bobbled with and squashed by Jackson.

14. The Hail Mary, 1975

We all know the Hail Mary pass.

It’s one of our most beloved plays in the Madden video game. We hope for its completion every time our team is down with the game on the line.

Only one unlucky fanbase experienced its inception, though: the 1975 Minnesota Vikings.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach heaved a pass down the field to the end zone, which was hauled in by Drew Pearson, who seemed to attach the ball to his hip and skip in for the touchdown.

Prior to the play, Staubach said in interviews that he said a “Hail Mary”, and the name stuck ever since.

13. The Ice Bowl, 1967

The Ice Bowl is remembered as one of the greatest games in NFL history—almost like a founding father, if you will. It featured two of the most storied franchises, players, coaches and weather conditions of all-time.

The exciting game was virtually capped off by Bart Starr’s quarterback sneak, which gave the Packers their third consecutive championship.

Cowboys fans did have hope, though, that their team would be able to advance the kickoff with a few seconds remaining, but they were unable to.

Dallas fans felt as if Starr punched their hearts in, just as he punched the ball into the end zone.

12. The Tuck Rule, 2002

Patriots fans can call it whatever they want, but everyone knows it’s “the tuck rule game.”

The tuck rule could also be declared the “Tom Brady rule.”

This game helped embark Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots on a legendary dynasty through the decade.

It would—or should, depending on who you talk to—have been completely different, had “the tuck rule” not been in effect.

It appears that Tom Brady fumbles the ball, but the referees instead insist that his arm was moving forward, resulting in a fumbled pass.

The referees may have just insisted that Brady’s arm was moving forward to impale the chest of every Raiders fan and rip their hearts out of their body.

11. Wide Right, 1991

Watching the replay over and over again, you can just feel Bills fans' hearts shattering in the process.

As you watch the kick sail wide right as the Bills trailed by one point to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, you don’t even have to be a Buffalo fan to feel the pain and agony.

I guess the question remains: Who do you blame for the miss?

10. The Comeback, 1993

You would think a 35-3 lead early in the third quarter is safe.

But if you watched this game, you’ll never think twice about a result until the final whistle is blown.

The Bills entered the second half down 28-3, allowed another touchdown and then scored 35 unanswered points to take a 38-35 lead late in the fourth quarter.

Of course, the Oilers would tie the game with 12 seconds remaining to send it to overtime.

The heartbreak was going to take place for one unlucky nation of fans, and it wouldn’t be called “The Comeback” for no reason. Bills kicker Steve Christie kicked the 32-yard field goal to send the Bills to the divisional round and also kicked Oilers fans right in the chest.

9. The Catch II, 1998

Amplified by the commentators’ reaction, it’s still difficult to find a better reception in a Wild Card playoff game.

Terrell Owens may make you sick now, but that’s nothing compared to what he did to Green Bay Packers fans in 1998.

Despite Steve Young slipping, he managed to make a picture-perfect pass to Owens between four defenders. Somehow, someway, Owens was able to hang on to the pass while being pummeled by Packers defenders.

Catch of the game? Of course. Yet it’s also one of the most earth-shattering catches in football history.

8. The Immaculate Reception, 1972

This is the play that helped spark the Steelers’ dynasty in the 1970s. It is also one of the most bizarre plays you will ever see...ever.

As Terry Bradshaw evaded pressure, he heaved the ball down the field. French Fuqua attempted the reception, but instead ran into a brick wall, a.k.a Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum. The ball, of course, ricocheted backwards—into the hands of Franco Harris.

Harris was able to grab the ball inches from the ground and he went on to score the game-winning touchdown as time expired.

You might still be able to find some Raiders fans, somewhere, who have yet to pick their jaws up from off the floor.  

7. Home Sweet Holmes, 2009

Not just one of the greatest game-winning catches, but one of the greatest catches period.

Ben Roethlisberger won his second Super Bowl ring after finding Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone to cap off a ground-breaking drive.

Holmes managed to keep both feet in bounds after stretching his entire body to haul in the rock.

He was named the game’s MVP and he has arguably been the most clutch receiver in the league since that catch—leaving Cardinals fans still devastated.

6. Music City Miracle, 2000

The greatest special teams’ play of all-time was just another heartbreaker on the long grocery list for Bills fans everywhere.

The Bills took the 16-15 lead with 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The game looked like it was out of reach as the Tennessee Titans lined up to take the ensuing kickoff.

What actually ensued could only be declared a miracle.

Fullback Lorenzo Neal took the kick return and handed it off to tight end Frank Wycheck. Not even Neal nor Wycheck would deem themselves decent, let alone quality, kick returners. Something was up…

Wycheck then threw a lateral pass across the field to Kevin Dyson, who sprinted up the field untouched for 75 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

As Titans fans jumped for joy, everyone else stood there in shock with their jaws wide open.

5. The Drop, 1979

A 38-year-old backup with a chance to make one last hoorah in the Super Bowl.

Sounds like a fairy-tale ending, no? To score the go-ahead touchdown and leave the game with a Super Bowl victory...

Unfortunately for Dallas Cowboys tight end Jackie Smith, it wasn’t mean to be.

In Super Bowl XIII, the Cowboys trailed the Pittsburgh Steelers by one touchdown.

As Roger Staubach went back for the pass, he found Smith wide open in the end zone. The eventual touchdown seemed like a sure thing—except Smith dropped the ball in the end zone.

The Cowboys went on to lose the game 35-31—and Cowboys fans went on to lose their minds.

4. The Drive, 1987

John Elway was one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. Anybody who states he was the all-time best would, of course, have a great case.

In the 1986-87 AFC championship game, the Broncos had to drive 98 yards to tie the game. Although Elway was sacked on the drive, he completed five passes and scrambled twice for 20 total yards.

With 42 seconds left in regulation, Elway managed to complete the five-yard pass to Mark Jackson to tie the game.

The Broncos went on to win the game in overtime and crush the heart and soul of every Browns fan.

3. The Catch, 1982

Of course, Joe Montana has to be on this list somewhere.

Montana made a great play to fake out Ed “Too Tall” Jones and heaved a pass towards the end zone. It looked like the pass was heading out of bounds, leading to a crucial 4th-and-6 in the 1981-82 NFC championship game.

Instead, Dwight Clark came out of nowhere and snagged the ball right before it was going to go out of bounds with less than a minute remaining in the game.

Clark came down with both feet for the game-winning touchdown. The 49ers forced a fumble on Dallas' next possession to seal the victory.

He proceeded to spike the ball to the turf—it seemed like he was, instead, spiking every Dallas fan’s heart.

2. One Yard Short, 2000

In one of the greatest Super Bowls of all-time, one of the greatest warriors of all-time, Steve McNair, did everything he could to keep his team in position to win the game. Following a remarkable third-down conversion in which McNair escaped two defenders to find Kevin Dyson for a pass completion, Dyson was once again the recipient of a McNair pass.

Dyson slanted towards the middle of the field and caught the McNair pass. As he turned up field, St. Louis Rams linebacker Mike Jones wrapped him up—one yard shy of the end zone.

Dyson rolled on the turf and stretched his arm out as far as he possibly could, but he was still short of the stripe.

It was one of the greatest game-ending plays in the history of football—at the mercy of Tennessee Titans fans around the world.

1. Helmet Catch, 2008

The greatest play in the history of Super Bowl plays.

It’s going to be difficult to top this masterpiece.

The underdog New York Giants roughed up Tom Brady and the New England Patriots all game. Still, they found themselves down late in the fourth quarter.

On 3rd-and-5 from New York's 44-yard line, Eli Manning proceeded to evade would-be New England sackers and he was almost whistled down as he refused to be sacked by the Patriots.

Manning then stepped up and heaved the pass down the field to—special teamer David Tyree—who jumped as high as he could and used his helmet to assist him on the way down. Patriots safety Rodney Harrison did all he could to pry the ball away, but Tyree’s grip and helmet were too much.

The Giants went on to score the go-ahead touchdown and ultimately win the game.

Watching the game, you could just feel New York fans roar in excitement and the New England fans’ hearts and souls ripped from their being following the remarkable play: 18-1 says it all.